Museum of the Plains Indian, Browning, Montana

Alaina Buffalo Spirit is a self-taught artist from the So'taa'ee band of the Northern Cheyenne Nation, whose work honors the women that made a difference in her life. Among the women who most influenced her work are her mother, the late Ellen Kaline; her grandmother, the late Annie Medicine Bull; and her aunt, the late Katie Medicine Bull. She was raised by her parents, Burt and Ellen (Kaline) Medicine Bull, along the banks of the beautiful Tongue River valley near Birney, Montana. Alaina has chosen to use the name "Buffalo Spirit, the correct interpretation of her grandfather's last name. Alaina Buffalo Spirit's artwork is based on the traditional ledger art, originated by Indian warriors incarcerated in the 1800s. Using the materials that were available to them, these warrior artists recorded their stories through heraldic images made on the ledger paper issued by the government for tallying and record-keeping. These images depicted life on the Plains, both before and during the times of conflict. Inspired by these earlier artists, Ms. Buffalo Spirit uses ledger paper made during this period in much of her work, which portrays the role of women in Cheyenne society.

Ms. Buffalo Spirit began her artistic career in 2004, and she has participated in the Northern Plains Indian Art Show, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in 2006 and 2007, and in the 2008 Summer Art Market at the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, Great Falls, Montana. Her work was also featured at the Ancient Traders Gallery in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 2008, and was chosen as the cover artist for the June 2008 issue of the University of Washington Medical School's Pediatrics Archives Journal. This is Ms. Buffalo Spirit's first solo exhibition.

Many of the pieces shown may be purchased through the Pikuni Gift Shop, located in the museum and managed by the Blackfeet Community College, (406) 338-7934. After the exhibit closes Alaina may be contacted directly at P.O. Box 292 Colstrip, Montana 59323 or at onebuffalospirit@yahoo.com.

The Museum of the Plain Indian is managed by the US Department of the Interior, Indian Arts and Crafts Board. For hours of operation, call the museum at (406) 338-2230.